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Indochina Retreat - 22 Days

Travel Indochina at your own pace and in a relaxing manner is what our 22-day tour, Indochina Retreat, designed for. The pace of travel, the accommodations, and all other aspects of the trip are meant for our travellers to retire from every day routine...

For transportation, we use car or bus, airplane and tourist boat. Tour activities include walking, culture exploring, beach vacationing, nature touring. Accommodations range from boutique hotels and quiet luxury resorts with special settings and locations which are specially chosen for the traveller who would like to get away from the crowd.

Shared-boat cruise on Ha Long Bay, private boat cruise on the Perfume River in Hue;

Twin-shared accommodation as indicated on the tour itinerary;

Meals as indicated in the program (B-Breakfast/L-Lunch/D-Dinner);

All admission fees during the guided times as in the program;

Exclusions

Insurance of any types;

International airport taxes;

Drinks, phone bills, laundry or personal expenses;

Others not clearly specified in the Inclusions;

Day1 Arrive in Siem Reap (no meal) Arriving at Siem Reap, meet our Cambodian tour guide and we’ll drive to Roluos Town. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned from A.D 877-89), are among the earliest permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art.

In Roluos, we’ll tour the temples of Preah Ko (erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century and dedicated by the King to his ancestors), Bakong (the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, it has an active Buddhist monastery) and Lolei (built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir by Yasovarman I, the founder of the first city at Angkor).

In late afternoon, we’ll climb the Phnom Bakheng Hill to the hilltop temple and adore the stunning sunset view over the countryside and the fabled Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day2 Siem Reap (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Our morning tour starts with Angkor Thom the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). Visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Return to Siem Reap for refreshment.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the legendary world of Angkor Wat. We’ll have 2 to 3 hours for a guided tour which we’ll learn about the magical works of the Khmer to build these unrivaled structures. Then we’ll have some brief moments for self-exploring the upper levels of Angkor Wat. Since the top levels are vertically steep, it’s necessary we clamber them with good care. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat complex covers 81 hectares. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer arts and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond.

Day3 Siem Reap (B) Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we’ll travel through the countryside to visit Banteay Srei with some of the most impressive sculptures found in the region. Banteay Srei temple (10th century) is regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Arts. Then we’ll move onto Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southernmost of which is remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclose the ensemble. On the way back we will also tour Ta Prohm temple embraced by gigantic trees and creepers.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a trip to visit the terrace of Sras Srang, Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei and Takeo.Overnight in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transferred to Siem Reap Airport for the flight to Vientiane. Arriving at Vientiane, you complete the formalities for entering Laos and proceed to check in for the flight to Luang Prabang. Arriving at Luang Prabang, welcomed by Paradissa's Laos tour guide and transferred to the city. We’ll have an oriented walking tour of Luang Prabang before getting to the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day5 Luang Prabang at leisure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day free at leisure. Only accommodation with breakfast is provided by Paradissa Travel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day6 Luang Prabang at leisure/ Luang Prabang - Ha Noi (VN 864: 1905 – 2025) (late check-out not included) (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Full day free at leisure until our tour guide and driver come back and transfer you back to Luang Phabang Airport for your flight to Ha Nnoi. Arriving at Noi Bai Airport in Ha Noi, welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to the hotel. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day7 Ha Noi at leisure (B) Full day at leisure. Only accommodation with breakfast is included. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day8 Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay Junk Cruise (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Leaving the hotel at 08:30 in the morning, we’ll drive through the Red River Delta which offers plenty photo opportunities of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy fields.

Our destination is the World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. The bay offers some 3000 mountain islands and islets towering in the Gulf of Tonkin in the East Vietnam Sea. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed on board our luxury junk and treated with wine and fresh local seafood. As our junk cruises further into the tranquility of Ha Long Bay, you'll have relaxing time combining the fine tastes of the wine and the freshness of Ha Long Bay. During the cruise, we'll stop some times for visiting the amazing Sung Sot cave and the Ti Top white sand beach before anchoring for the night. Overnight on board the junk in the wild of Halong Bay.

Day9 Ha Long Bay – Ha Long City (B/L/D) After breakfast, we'll take a little sampan to explore a secret lagoon of Ha Long Bay while the surrounding mountains are just waking up. After that we cruise further into the Bay of Bai Tu Long traveling past the Human Head Island, the Turtle Island... to the studio site where the famous Indochine Film was shot. After the last feast, our junk travels back to the harbor for disembarkation at 12.00 A.M. We travel further to Ha Long City. After checking into the hotel, enjoy free time at leisure. Overnight in Ha Long City.

Day10 Ha Long City - Ha Noi - Hue (VN 245: 1045-1255)/Hue River Cruise (B/L) Breakfast at the hotel. Travel back to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Hue. Arriving at Phu Bai Airport, met by our tour guide and transferred to the city. Have a boat cruise on the scenic Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the tomb of King Tu Duc. Overnight in Hue.

Hue was the capital city of Vietnam from 1802 - 1945. Hue is a charming imperial city with combination of the new and the old. The Perfume River bisects the city into the northern and southern parts. To the north is the ancient citadel surrounded by moats which were home to the royal court of Vietnam in the 19th century. Visiting the ancient citadel you can visit the Palace where the king lived, the quarter for the royal family and concubines, the royal library….Lots of damages during the war are still found here though. To the south is where hotels and fine dining restaurants are located.

Day11 Hue Tour (B) Breakfast at the hotel.Continue with our discovery of Hue with the Imperial Citadel and the Dong Ba exotic market on the bank of thePerfume River. In the afternoon, we'll visit the tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda and the Tombs of King Khai Dinh and Minh Mang. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hue.

Day12 Hue - Hoi An/Hoi An at leisure (B) Breakfast at the hotel.Our journey continues through the scenic countryside of the Central Region of Vietnam to Hoi An. We’ll stop at the Lang Co Beach with fine white sand against the green mountain backdrop and on the Hai Van Pass which offers 360 degrees of breathtaking mountain and sea view. Descending the mountains, we’ll make our way to Da Nang where we tour the Cham Museum. At this museum we can adore the artifacts from the Cham Culture which thrived in the Central Region of Vietnam from the 2nd through the 15th century. Then, we'll make our way to Hoi An Old Town. Arriving at Hoi An, we check into our hotel and enjoy free time at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An was a famous trading port back to the 16 – 19th centuries. Hoi An was visited by merchants from China, Japan, Persia, Europe….at the times. Hoi An residents are composed of Vietnamese, Chinese. Hoi An’s architecture is the perfect combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese styles. Hoi An nowadays still retains the atmosphere of the old town dated back to the heyday which never fails to charm the visitors.

Apart from the cozy ancient town, Hoi An also offers the pristine white sand Cua Dai Beach which claimed one of the most charming beaches in the world. Hoi An has always been unforgettable memory for our dear travelers.

Day13 Hoi An at leisure (B) Breakfast at the hotel.Free at leisure. Only accommodation with breakfast is provided by Paradissa Travel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day14 Hoi An at leisure (B) Breakfast at the hotel.Free at leisure. Only accommodation with breakfast is provided by Paradissa Travel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day16 Nha Trang at leisure (B) Breakfast at the hotel.Free at leisure. Only accommodation with breakfast is provided by Paradissa Travel. Overnight in Nha Trang beach city.

Day17 Nha Trang at leisure (B) Breakfast at the hotel.Free at leisure. Only accommodation with breakfast is provided by Paradissa Travel. Overnight in Nha Trang beach city.

Day18 Nha Trang at leisure/Nha Trang - Da Lat (B) Breakfast at the hotel. We continue our journey along the blue ocean through the arid South Central Region of Vietnam. Drive 4 hours (205 km) from Nha Trang to Da Lat. We’ll visit the Chicken Village and the Prenn waterfall on the way.

Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and go out for the tour of this romantic “Honeymoon” city. We’ll visit the Valley of Love and the central market, the famous Crazy house and former king Bao Dai’s summer villa. Overnight in Da Lat.

Day19 Da Lat Tour (B) Breakfast at the hotel.This morning is for the panoramic view of the city. We drive out of Da Lat into the stunning countryside to the foot of the Lang Biang Mountain. We’ll get a rocky jeep drive to the top of 2169m above sea level. From the top of Lang Biang Mountain, we can get the whole breathtaking view of Da Lat and the surroundings. Then we’ll descend back to the city and have lunch together in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we’ll have more exploration of Da Lat. We’ll visit Hang Nga “Crazy House”, Central Market, the Old Railway Station and take a train ride to Trai Mat, the Linh Phuoc Pagoda.Overnight in Da Lat.

Day20 Da Lat – Sai Gon (VN 465: 1210 – 1250)/Free at leisure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure until we transfer you to Da Lat Airport for the flight to Saigon. Arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport, met by our tour guide and transferred to the city. We’ll have an oriented walking tour of Sai Gon Down Town area including the Ben Thanh Market, The Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post Office, L’Hotel De Ville before getting to the hotel. Overnight in Sai Gon.

Lunch is served in the canopy an orchard. After that our boat trip brings us on the Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, under the shadow of the water coconut trees. We’ll visit a family where you can learn about the agricultural lifestyle; we’ll travel through the fruit plantation in Thoi Son Island and enjoy a rowing boat trip on the creeks before cruising back to My Tho where we rejoin our car and travel back to Saigon. Our dinner is served at a fine-dining restaurant. Overnight in Sai Gon.

Day22 Depart Saigon (B) Breakfast at the hotel.You have free time at leisure until our tour guide and driver come back and transfer you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your departure flight. Time to bid farewell to the Vietnamese beaming smiles. We hope you had a great holiday in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia with Paradissa Travel.